AMERICAS: Mexican authorities arrested a man identified as the son of the leader of the powerful Knights Templar drug cartel.

ASIA: In Afghanistan, an early morning NATO airstrike in central Logar province killed 5 Afghan National Army soldiers and wounded another 17.

EUROPE: The Greek government called for more time to shore up its crisis-hit banks as the authorities were locked in a dispute with EU-IMF creditors on how much it would cost to do so.

MIDDLE EAST: The Israeli military said that a ship it claims was carrying advanced rockets bound for Gaza from Iran will be brought into port Saturday.

TECHNOLOGY: Facebook said it will block members under 18 years of age from viewing pages or timeline posts reported to involve private sales of firearms and will set up online “checkpoints” warning people that such deals may be illegal.

TOP STORY

Ukraine: Crimea schedules referendum on joining Russia.

Pro-Moscow authorities in Crimea asked Russian President Putin to examine a request for their region to join the Russian Federation, which will be put to a referendum on 16MAR.

US Secretary Kerry will meet with his counterparts from Italy, Britain, France and Germany in Rome to discuss the crisis in Ukraine.

Lithuania said the US will send six additional F-15 fighter jets to step up NATO’s air patrols over the Baltic states.

The government in Crimea said Pro-Russian forces numbering more than 11,000 controlled all access to the Crimean Peninsula and have blockaded all military bases that have not yet surrendered.

Interim PM Yatsenyuk said Russia is increasing tensions in Crimea ahead of meeting EU leaders holding an emergency summit on the crisis.

Afghanistan: An early morning NATO airstrike in central Logar province killed 5 Afghan National Army soldiers and wounded another 17. (AP)

Korean Peninsula: The military and the US will end one of the two joint annual war games amid the DPRK’s rejection of a dialogue offer for regular family reunions. (Xinhua)

Pakistan: Peace negotiators representing the government and Taliban insurgents called for higher-level talks. (AFP)

EUROPE

Greece: Riot police in Athens used tear gas and pepper spray during scuffles with union members protesting austerity measures. (AP)

Greece: The government called for more time to shore up its crisis-hit banks as the authorities were locked in a dispute with EU-IMF creditors on how much it would cost to do so. (AFP)

Italy: Economy Minister Padoan said the new government will not breach EU rules on public deficits. (DPA)

Turkey: A member of the security forces was killed in a land mine blast near the border with Iraq. (Xinhua)

MIDDLE EAST

Region: The Israeli military said that a ship it claims was carrying advanced rockets bound for Gaza from Iran will be brought into port Saturday. (AFP)

Iran: Local media reported that the country will soon receive a second installment of previously frozen assets. (Reuters)

Syria: At least five people were killed and more than 20 wounded in a bomb blast near a security headquarters in Hama. (AFP)

Yemen: Security officials reported that al Qaeda militants in the country killed one of their own accused of spying for the US. (AP)

Yemen: An intelligence official was assassinated near Sanaa International Airport. (Xinhua)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Social Media: Facebook said it will block members under 18 years of age from viewing pages or timeline posts reported to involve private sales of firearms and will set up online “checkpoints” warning people that such deals may be illegal. (AFP)